ASTB investigates QF Incident

[Greg Hyde]

ATSB is investigating a stick-shaker activation on a B744 flight to Hong Kong.

The ATSB is investigating a stick shaker activation involving a Qantas Boeing 747, VH-OJU, 110 km SE of Hong Kong (BETTY IFR), on 7 April 2017.

While holding at flight level 220, the flight crew received a stick shaker activation and detected airframe buffeting. The flight crew disconnected the autopilot and manoeuvred the aircraft in response. Fifteen passengers received minor injuries.

http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2017/aair/ao-2017-044/

QF has said it was turbulence.

[MarkR]

In the interests of balance, the QF response :


Customers on QF29 experienced unexpected turbulence onboard when travelling from Melbourne to Hong Kong on 7 April.
We notified the ATSB of the occurrence, and our own teams are also reviewing the event. These investigations need to be completed before Qantas can comment further.
The incident itself was brief, lasting about two minutes, and the injuries experienced were fortunately minor.
Additional information
The occurrence took place when the aircraft was nearly an hour outside of Hong Kong. The flight landed normally in Hong Kong. As a precaution, the Captain called ahead for the aircraft to be met by an ambulance on arrival.
Two passengers were transferred to hospital for precautionary medical assessment as a result of their injuries and later released.
QF29 MEL-HKG is operated by a B747 aircraft with 364 seats

[MarkR]

I wonder if it was wake turbulence?